Victoria Beckham pens heartfelt open letter on the joys of raising children

Victoria Beckham has spoken candidly about the "daily uncertainties and unending joy" of being a mother in a heart-felt open letter about raising her four children.

The singer-turned-fashion designer described the "constant struggle" she feels as a working mother and revealed how her children hide notes inside her suitcase when she travels for work.

She stressed how important it is to her and footballer husband David to teach Brooklyn, Cruz, Romeo and Harper to "never, ever take anything for granted" as a result of their privileged upbringing.

The former Spice Girl was one of a number of famous women who published letters about their role as a mother on news magazine website Time to mark Mothers' Day in America.

She wrote: "They are a wonder to me every day. From a teenage son through to a toddler daughter, each moment of every day is filled with different energies, activities, feelings and a lot of comedy.

"Being in a position where they live such a privileged life, it is important that our children understand humility, that they appreciate how their parents have worked very hard to create this life for the family and that they, too, have a responsibility to work hard, be respectful and never, ever take anything for granted.

Victoria Beckham with husband David

"Like so many working mothers all over the world, I feel the constant struggle to be the best mother I can, whilst setting a good example to my children to work hard. I travel for work when it's necessary, and I miss them all the time when I am away.

"I have always been a great believer that women should support women, and my admiration goes out to mothers everywhere, as they constantly put their own needs behind those of their children, embracing daily uncertainties and entering the new uncharted territories that each day brings, to be, in return, rewarded with joy and unending love."

Sharon Osborne also published a letter addressed to her three children Aimee, Jack and Kelly telling them "success doesn't mean shit to me, this entertainment industry doesn't mean anything to me" - adding that only their happiness does.

She described her pride that Jack and Kelly had overcome drink and drug addictions, and that Aimee, who shunned much of the limelight that her family has shared over the years, was pursuing her dreams.

But like Beckham, she also spoke of the "endless guilt" she felt at being a working mother.

She said: "I'm now terribly overprotective. I will always stand by you and be there for you. You'll never fall because I'm there to catch you. But I've also learned, especially over the past five years, that I can't fix everything. I cannot protect you from the world. And now I know I don't have to.

"Being your mom has made me a well-rounded person. It's made me not as selfish, and not as motivated when it comes to the competitiveness I had in the industry. It gave me a different outlook on life that it's not about winning or being number one. Raising a child is the most important thing you can ever do.

"It's the hardest thing in the world, to be a hands-on mother and sustain a career. You cannot do it without having endless guilt.